Charges filed in robbery, fatal beating case

CLAYTON, Mo. - The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office charged a man and woman for beating, kidnapping, and robbing a 51-year-old man earlier this month, who later died as a result.

According to a probable cause statement, the incident occurred March 3 in the 600 block of Bayless Avenue.

Police said the female suspect, identified as 24-year-old Kimberly Cartwright, was at the victim's residence when she texted the male suspect, 37-year-old Sherman Kinchen, and told him to come and attack the victim.

Kinchen and another man came to the home on Bayless Avenue and assaulted the victim. Witnesses told police that Kinchen beat the victim with a golf club and stabbed him with a knife.

Kinchen, Cartwright, and their accomplice forced the victim to go to an ATM and withdraw money. The trio went back to the victim's home and beat him yet again.

The victim, identified as Jeffrey Breitenfeld, died from injuries suffered in the ordeal.

Kinchen and Cartwright were both charged with first-degree burglary, first-degree kidnapping and inflicting injury, and second-degree robbery. Kinchen was later charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action.

Prosecutors have not yet charged the third person involved.

Police said Kinchen and Cartwright lived together in St. Louis City.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 or Crimestoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS.